Where do I start, and how?

by Leland P. Morrill Adopted Native American Citizenship Affected by The REAL ID Act of 2005 on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 5:24pm
Change...kinda hard huh. I was just watching my online friend Ryan Yezak's video Moving On, very inspiring.
HERE IT IS just in case you need some inspiration in your life:

One area of my life that has had a continual focus has been on the years of research to obtain my Navajo Nation Birth Affidavit and membership back into the Navajo Nation. I thought perhaps it would be a great idea now that some time has passed to start and catalogue or write steps to help others. Any suggestions of areas where to take this page from here forward is something I am struggling with.
breathe, breathe breathe

First off, if you don't have any understanding of the Real ID Act, you can read the Wikipedia content here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REAL_ID_Act and then you can "GOOGLE" the subject if you feel you need to.

How does The Real ID ACT of 2005 affect me?
When you apply or renew a State issued Identification Card or Drivers License you will have to supply proof of your existence.

For most people this will be easy. You will need:
An original copy of your State issued Birth Certificate
An original copy of your Social Security Card issued by the Social Security Administration
a photo, usually taken on the spot once you have provided the first two. Just out of habit, of renewing, you'll probably show your current expiring State issued ID or DL card.
Pay the fee and you're done.

This page/blog is more for Native Americans born within one of the fifty States of America who were adopted out of their tribe without proper documentation such as a State issued Birth Certificate or National (Native Nation) Birth Certificate/Affidavit. Sometime in addition to not having a birth document, you may not be enrolled into your respective Nation or Tribe, as in my case.

Where do you go from here if the local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) denies you a State issued identification card or drivers license card?
If you're an adopted Native American, one of the first places to start your search is your Final Judgement of Adoption, aka adoption papers. Make sure you have an original copy, or a certified copy. If, over the years you only have a photocopy, or G*d-forbid, a mimeographed one (LOL) then you'll need to contact the issuing Family Court.

Be thankful today we live in the INFORMATION AGE. GOOGLE, or search for the address, website, telephone number of the issuing Family Court. It's a great idea to call them. Find out what form, or if you have to write a letter, what is required and start assembling that and send it off. These days, who knows, it may be as easy as filling out an online form, submitting it and paying it with a credit/debit card and then waiting for them to send you an original copy of your Final Judgement of Adoption. You may be required to download, print, fill it out, sign, date and then have it notorized. Some copy, office supply stores have notaries & the prices will vary. Here in Los Angeles, the price of a notary I used at Coast Stationary in my neighborhood on Spring Street here in Los Angeles.

My local Notary Public is located at an office supply store here in Los Angeles on Spring Street!

Coast Stationary was great for me as they also had a fax machine, internet as well as the notary service. They charged me a $10.00 notary fee. That will give you an idea of how much it may cost you to notarize your documents as you continue to research your documentation. By the way, it's a great idea to purchase multiple copies of "originals" from the State or National Family Court because you may end up having to one to a State Vital Statistics office, another to a "Native" Nation Vital Statistics office and then, OH YEA!!!! YOU NEED at least ONE! :D
Just sayin!

On your Final Judgement of Adoption look to see if your birth date, birth location and census number are on it. If they are not. Call back the State or National Family Court and ask why they are not on the document. In my case, for some mysterious reason, the Navajo Nation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, State of Arizona turned a blind eye to this and Judge Joe Benalley signed off on the adoption and my parents fled off to Canada with me and my Navajo sister the day after our adoption, July 16, 1971. Yup...well actually, my adopted dad was transferred with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (A whole other "story"). Getting back on subject. Sometimes, as in my case, the adopting parents were supposed to fill out the application for a birth certificate and the application will still be laying in a file somewhere. If not. you're going to have to start your search.

If your adopted parents are still alive, ask them all the questions you can currently think of about your adoption. Find out any stories they heard along the way of adopting you. If you were a foster child, what was your last name, did you have siblings, aunties, uncles, cousins, etc. Are there any pre-adoption medical records? What hospitals, medical centers?

WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN.
Utilize the internet.
If you do not have the internet at home, find an internet cafe, or a wi-fi hotspot. If you have a public library, use their computers or utilize their "hotspot" with your own laptop/netbook. I'm in my local library writing this note/blogpost...Yup, The Central Library downtown LA. :D

Tuesday June 21, 2011, Central Library, Los Angeles, California.

After you've written everything down, applied and sent off the necessary forms for your original copies of your adoption papers... that's your starting point.
The next entry will start where this one ended.
IF you have any suggestions about this entry, PLEASE "comment". Oh, an LIKE my page

YAY my plastic card called a Drivers License came in the mail Wednesday! The Drama is over...kinda.

by Leland P. Morrill Adopted Native American Citizenship Affected by The REAL ID Act of 2005 on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 12:52am
Wednesday I received my plastic card from the California DMV. Yup it's official, I now have a California Drivers License.

YAY my PLASTIC CARD showing I have a State issued Drivers License!!
What happened was when I went on April 14, 2011 to go get my Drivers License, I forgot my glasses so I only applied for the California Identification Card. I intended to go back but funds have been a little low lately after this whole 22 year research project that has been so paramount in my life. 40 years ago this July I was adopted out of the Navajo Nation and then began a feeble attempt by my anglo adopted parents to get a birth certificate. They at least sent in an application. Whether or not they followed up after the application phase no longer matters because I finished what they neglected.
It's amazing that it took me twenty-one years, seven months and 7 days to research and finally complete what should have been done back in July 1971 as part of the adoption.
My adoption and the adoptions of my other Navajo and Ojibwe brothers and sisters occurred prior to the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (http://www.nicwa.org/Indian_Child_Welfare_Act/).
I find it disappointing Joe G. Bennalley, Judge, Trial Court of the Navajo Tribe who signed off on my adoption to an anglo Mormon couple who were moving the next day to Canada failed to state my birth date, a link to my biological parents by naming them and also failed to enroll me as a member into the Navajo Nation and even made it quite clear by stating by my name "Leland Pachecko Kirk, C# A Minor".
The "C#" is where my Navajo Census Number should have been.
I also find it disappointing to know the depth of knowledge my anglo adopted parents knew about my biological Navajo family and still failed to follow through on getting my birth certificate. All these made it incredibly difficult to connect the dots during my 22 years of research.

Most of how I connected the dots were through hospital records I had to travel to Gallup New Mexico and request in person at the Gallup Indian Medial Center Health Records Department. I had to read between the lines, create a timeline of events based on those records, learn how to ask questions about my whereabouts. Prior to the internet and the world wide web, I wrote several letters to the Catholic churches in Navajoland. I wrote to Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Fort Defiance, All Saints Parish in Ganado and several Pastors and Reverends to find out more information all without replies but I kept on with it throughout the years.

With the internet becoming available and as more records becoming available and then social networks, especially FACEBOOK, then the research took on a new expedited life. I first found out about The Real ID Act and how it affected me not having a birth certificate when my wallet was lifted in December 2009 on a bus in Los Angeles. As I returned home I emptied my pockets in my shorts just to find out my wallet was gone. I had gone shopping at the 99 Cent Only Store on Wilshire and Fairfax and then rode the bus back with several bags of groceries. Both hands were full as I rode the bus and no, I did not see or feel who took my wallet, just that when I got home it was missing. I then went to the California DMV on Cole and Waring Ave in Hollywood to apply for a California Drivers License and found out that I had to have a birth certificate. The drivers license lost had been issued from Utah so in January 2010 I travelled back to Salt Lake to get a replacement. Little did I know that the Real ID Act would be enacted on January 1, 2010 requiring "legal presence" or an original State Issued birth certificate. That January 2010 visit to the Utah DMV I found out about the Real ID Act and thought that my mormon baptism record would suffice as I had used it previously at the same DMV years earlier.
Off to the "big and spacious building" called the LDS Church Office Building I went. Once there I was informed I had to get my baptisimal racord from my "home Ward. Well, I haven't attended the LDS Church since the 80's when I went to see if organized religion was for me or not. Found out back then, it's not for me. Not that I don't believe in a diety, higher power, energy because I do. The LDS Church just isn't for me. Sure it was part of my upbringing and every time I return to see my anglo adopted parents I attend their Ward only because that's their rule when visiting them. So you see, me going to my "home Ward" really wasn't going to happen and that baptism record would not have helped.

So, back to California I went and then realized by May 2010, I didn't have any legal documents, no State issued Identification or Drivers License and no Birth Certificate. My Navajo Nation Adoption papers were worthless because of the missing information (birthdate, census number, and birth parents names). This is when I really started to get worried because then I couldn't go to the Credit Union, out with friends, or fly, well I could on Delta because one of my friends is a flight attendant. I couldn't even use a credit card because, guess what? You have to prove your identity with a plastic card Identification or Drivers License issued by one of the 50 U.S. States. In May 2010 I went back to Utah with all the documentation and research I'd accrued since then and they allowed me to get a paper copy of a temporary Utah Drivers License. I soon found out this was not honored anywhere. Another worthless piece of paper issued by a government entity, that I paid for.

I started to really research on the internet, Facebook, Twitter, Ancestry.com, Google, ect. I had to start to understand how to use the internet for family research and what keywords to use, what to ask, how to phrase my questions to get the desired answer. I had to learn how to use property tax records that I'd used as a researcher to find family records for the KIRK and PACHECO names and potential family members. Then one day, just out of the blue, I realized I could use FACEBOOK the same way and there were hundreds of millions of people on FACEBOOK, could people on the Navajo Nation reservation be on FACEBOOK? I typed "Kirk Arizona" in the search area and pressed the search icon. Sure enough, guess what popped up? People named KIRK in ARIZONA. That was my first introduction to understanding how to manipulate FACEBOOK for my new cause. At this point I didn't quite reach out because I didn't know what to say but at least I knew it was there.

I still tried to go the goverment way via the State of Arizona and State of New Mexico through the suggestion of the supervisor at the Utah DMV. My adopted parents told me I had been born in Albuquerque. Found out later, there really is no documentation. New Mexico Vital Records took my money repeatedly and never wrote back, nothing. So I went with Arizona Vital Records. I paid several fees, emailed, telephoned, wrote letters, sent in all my documentation and finally had to pay more fees to finally get... (drum roll) an Arizona "Certificate of No Birth" in December 2010. Yup. After thousands of hours of research and almost 21 years of research another government issued paper worth nothing although it cost me dearly in legal fees, state fees and notary fees. It wasn't until I went back to Utah and had my famous Utah DMV experience:
"UTAH DMV Evil or Good? You tell me...I'm Illegal...or not. I'm NAVAJO!"
https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=165603423489450
that I realized the Navajo Nation had it's own Vital Statistics Office, and that's when things finally started to fall in place. Well not quite. I had some problems with them so I decided, what the heck, I can call the Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley. Well, surprise, the Navajo Nation presidency changed in January and I ended up talking to my natural cousin. Yup. She was related to the KIRKs and was able to use her office, Constituent Services Unit, to help me. Along the way she directed me to other Navajo relatives. My Uncle, my mother's half brother, and his wife helped the most along with Cyndy guiding my path. My Uncle even wrote to the Navajo Nation Vital Statistics, called them, and visited them in person, He also went with his wife to look for my mother's grave.

All in all, I met great people along the way. A representative from the National Archives (NARA) in Perris California was also instrumental. I had pretty much figured out a timeline, created an onine pedigree chart on "Family Echo" to keep the names of relatives straight and had started my Facebook Page and Blog by then. So when I talked NARA, I could refer back to my notes (blog, page and pedigree) and ask yes and no questions to her. After she realized that I knew most of the information, on March 18, 2011 at 4:56 p.m. she sent me an email. It might have been a strategic move, after 5 p.m. they were closed so I was unable to send an email back or call. She emailed me all the information I needed to lobby to get my Navajo Nation Birth Certificate and Certificate of Navajo Indian Blood. Success happened on April 9, 2011, a Saturday. Alisia Milford from the Window Rock Navajo Nation Vital statistics called me as I was attending a conference where I was to talk to U.S. Census Director Robert M. Groves but he ended up a no show due to the Federal Government almost shutting down Friday April 8, 2011. I ended up talking to Chai Feldblum, Commissioner, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission instead. I discussed my employment issues, showed her my worthless paper copy of a Utah Drivers License & she was shocked. I also submitted changes to The REAL ID ACT to her...documented in my note:
My Additions/Amendment suggestion/ reasoning to THE REAL ID ACT of 2005 submitted to Chai Feldblum, U.S.Commissioner of the EEOC
https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=174986269217832

In April my Facebook Page was read over 11,000 times by readers (THANK YOU). Again I did get verbally notified I was a member of the Navajo Nation April 9th & on April 14th I received my NN Birth Affidavit and Certificate of Navajo Indian Blood. Then I applied for California ID & then in on May 17th I applied for a Drivers License. There was a bit of a problem with the paper copy of that worthless Utah Drivers License. I ended up having to call/email Nannette Rolfe (Director) and Jill Laws (Deputy Director) of the Utah DMV and Jill faxed the documentation needed to the California DMV for me to get my Drivers License. Wednesday May 25, 2011 I received my plastic card issued by the California DMV called a Drivers License.

It took a village, almost a city of people who helped me along the way, so many it would take a huge entry just to thank everyone. I've thanked most of them individually and if I missed you. Please know I am grateful and thankful for your help, suggestions and assistance along the way. One great lesson I learned is people will help if you ask. Knowing what to ask, how to form the question so someone else understands what you seek is also a learned tool. I am amazed at all the people to had the attitude of "What would you like me to do?" and "How can I help?" Thank you.

After all the drama...I think I deserve a lifetime acheivement award:

May 26, 2011
Me with an Emmy trophy at the Academy of TV Arts & Sciences.
NO It's not mine, just thought it would be a funny picture.
LOL, here's a picture of me with an EMMY at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences yesterday. No it's not mine, just me in a picture with one.
Thought it would be humorous to include the picture.

Thank you for reading my blog/page.
Now this blog/page is to help others. It takes a village.
Please LIKE my page, share with those who need to know. If you have any questions or comments, please don't be shy, ask, or state them. Thanks again!

Wouldn't you know, just as I'm finalizing documentation it's THE END OF THE WORLD!!! EEEEK!!!!

by Leland P. Morrill
Adopted Native American Citizenship Affected by The REAL ID Act of 2005 on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 11:29pm
Just kidding! LMAO.

This week was rather tumultous. Even though I now have a plastic California Identification Card, I still did not have my Drivers License. Tuesday May 17, 2011 I went to the California DMV down by USC on Hope Street and waited in line. While in line, I read the entire Drivers License Manual. I had arrived around 12:30 p.m. thinking that would be enough time to get in to take the test, by 4:00 p.m. I was getting worried that the cut off time had passed. NOT SO! I made it by minutes, 4:25 p.m. I took my mugshot, forgot to pose like I'd been trained to for media events so my picture was less than what I wanted but still it's my mug.

Wouldn't you know, just as I was entering the testing area, my cellphone rings! My little brother Shaun. LOL. Well, he didn't know, but immediately I saw the NO CELLPHONES sign. After turning off my phone the DMV person yelled: "NO CELLPHONES!!! TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE!" I immediately stated I didn't even know it was on, which I really didn't. I then took the multiple "guess" test quickly and was done in 10 minutes. Hmmmm yup, so I rechecked my answers thinking it couldn't be that easy and I sure didn't want to fail so I rechecked one more time, I handed in my test and then had to prove I had a previous drivers license. I pulled out that worthless paper copy the Utah DMV Fairpark asked for & immediatlely the DMV Tester said "I can't accept that"

My old Utah paper Temporary Drivers License. It's worthless to the California DMV and as an ID "card" No one accepts it!

Well, I kind of knew it and started to plead my case. He listened, thought about it and said, well you passed but I can't accept that. Talk to a supervisor downstairs at window 21.
Window 21 wasn't labeled so I immediately asked as it was now about 5:00 p.m., closing time. I got a supervisor around 5:15 p.m. Same story, but she said Utah DMV could send a clearance letter. So I immediately called Nanette Rolfe's cellphone number. Nanette is the Utah Department of Public Safety Drivers License Division Director and left a message. I did the same on her work phone number and also called Jill Laws' work phone number and left a message. Jill is the Deputy Director of the Utah Drivers License Division.

I was really upset because here I'd paid the fee, passed the test and one more hurdle. Then my little brother texted me and I sent back a "bitchy" text: "What do you want?" Actually it was uncalled for but I hadn't blown off steam yet and he was an immediate recipient. Funny how sometimes you lash back at those who you love the most. Sorry Shaun, if you reading this. Anyway, he called me on it in his colorful language via text & made me laugh but I was still mad.

I finally talked to him, Still upset and he offered to help. That's what I found so amazing. Sometimes people ask to help you. I knew I needed to scan my CIB, Certificate of Indian Blood, and Brith Affidavit and sent those off in an email as a PDF to Nanette and Jill so off I went to FedEx/Kinkos. Guess who was working? Jesus...of course! He actually helped me quite a bit because the scanner jammed up, my USB flash drive wasn't recognized by their computer, so we sent it to my email. I also sent it to Shaun and my best friend Troy just in case. I've learned to sometimes overcompensate and send files to multiple people and myself for an electronic timestamp.

I actually didn't know Jills email address but knew Nanettes. So, I kind of guessed it. Good thing because Jill called me as I was working out a housing issue the next morning, Wednesday May 18, 2011. Jill said she faxed the California DMV the clearance letter and also sent me a PDF just in case. She knows my style. Very cool.

Utah DMV Clearance Letter...Thanks Jill for sending it so quickly!!

After a meeting with housing off to the DMV I went. Upon arrival, they had my paperwork ready. Whatever it was Jill sent, it got their attention. THANKS JILL! I now have an Interim Drivers License issued by California DMV, now awaiting the plastic card.

YAY. My California Interim Drivers License.

I've also now applied for two jobs with the Torres Martinez Desert Cahilla Indian Tribe. Both position required a California Drivers License, I'm hoping to get one of them. Cynthia at the Wilshire office here in Los Angeles gave me an application and an internal job posting list of positions she thought I'd be qualified for once the drivers license was issued. So cross your fingers and toes people! I need a job just like everyone else!

I do have to thank Shaun, my little brother for asking to help and being a sounding board about my frustrations. My friend Troy has also heard my frustrations and concerns. Troy has been through the entire twenty two years of my research. To him, for being a sounding board, suggesting things I'd never think of, and just plain being a good friend, which says alot about his good character, patience, and level of friendship. Thanks Troy!

Also, later, Shaun called me to tell me there is a girl here in North Hollywood, a daughter of a client, who is Cherokee and going through the same Real ID Act of 2005 documentation nightmare I am now exiting. Shaun asked me if I'd help her. OF COURSE!
So, if your reading this, call me! Oh, and your mother Robin has my phone number. Just sayin. I'm here, and have plenty of fresh knowledge and willing to help.

Thank you all for reading my entry/blog. This has been a great diary and I've had to refer to it during telephone calls to tell the Navajo Nation Vital Statistics office, The National Archives, Navajo Relatives, The Arizona Vital Statistics Office of my progress. Blogging and also creating an online pedigree chart accessable by any computer has literally saved many a conversation and aided in defending my cause and helping me move forward. So, if you are in this process, please write down everything because, you can always refer back to it!

Also, please LIKE my Facebook Page. READ my notes. Remember, this blog contains just my notes and has a PayPal feature where you can donate :)
This process is greater than just me and others will need help. Perhaps this can be a way to assist others and once I get myself back onto my financial feet will be able to set up a nonprofit to help others.

You may notice, I also will have EBAY items up for sale on my Facebook Page. Feel free to purchase those items as well.

Above all, This is now to help others. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, ideas for me to write about pertaining to The Real ID Act of 2005, Certificate of Indian Blood, Native Affidavit of Birth...PLEASE, suggest! I welcome it!

Peace out!

March 02, 2011, my FIRST communication with my biological uncle, suggestions for you who still search. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Wednesday March 2, 2011:

Me, today Wednesday March 2, 2011

I just cut my hair this morning.

(click on picture to enlarge)

Today was a stellar day. It started with an e-mail from my mom, Cyndy Taylor, time-stamped 8:48 a.m.

"Good Morning Son, How is everything going?  I've been trying to figure out how we can obtain additional info. for u.  I'm trying to contact a Bobby Kirk, who I believe is your uncle (bro., of your late mo. Linda).  I've just contacted Bobby and he asked me to give u his cell#  (xxx) xxx-xxxx.  Sounds like he's willing to help.  Keep me posted, Mom"

 I text'd the following to the number:

"Hi Mr Bobby Kirk. This is Leland (Kirk) Morrill son of the late Linda Kirk. I left a message.  I'm also on Facebook as Cyndy Taylor's friend."

Bobby Kirk answered back:

"K thnx"

At 12:35p.m. I left a message on his cellphone number providing my email account, and my cell phone number.

At 12:48p.m. Bobby Kirk called me back.

We proceed to have a great conversation. 

I told him I needed specific information about my biological mother Linda Kirk such as birth date, death date. He didn't know these offhand but said that would require a trip to Window Rock Arizona which he would be happy to do.

He said he was in Junior High School in Ganado Arizona when they received the telephone call Linda Kirk had been in an auto accident and was in critical condition at a hospital in Albuquerque, NM. They didn't have transportation or money to take this trip to Albuquerque so no one went. Linda Kirk was buried in Ganado Arizona.  

This confirms my, adopted mother, Gwena Morrill's story where she states:

 "BIA welfare told us your mother was Linda Kirk and she was killed in

an automobile accident.  Your father was unknown."

I then read him what my mom (Gwena Morrill) had written in an email:

"We were told you had a younger brother named Christopher that lived with John Kirk and his wife.  I don't recall her name.  Their son (I can't think of his name, but he was maybe 5 to 8 years older than you)

told me about Christopher.  I was taking him home from (LDS/Mormon) seminary in the seminary van.  I had you and Virginia (Bitsui-Morrill) with me.  You would have been 3 or 4.  I was thinking he was 10, but can't remember for sure.  He asked me if you were Leland Kirk.  I said yes.  He then told me your little brother Christopher had lived with them.  He said something like this. 'One night when he went to bed, he was fine.  The next morning he was dead so we moved.'"

Me as a child in the mid-1970's

My Grandma Karen gave me this shirt.

(clink on image to enlarge)

Uncle Bobby then said something to the effect, we wondered what happened to you two.  We then talked later for another few minutes where he relayed I have an Aunt Barbara Kirk and Uncle Earnest Kirk. 

Also he told me Kirk was my mother's maiden name and she had met my father (who he never met or knew his name) in Albuquerque and thinks he was a member of another tribe San Filipe or San Fidel in the Albuquerque area. Also that our grandmothers name is Alice Burke Kirk, maiden name Burke. 

The conversation ended with an agreement to talk later tonight.

  

This Facebook Page and my Blog are for this  group, and whoever desires to read it, because it's needed, others will follow me.

I want to tell you of the power of this new age we live in called THE INFORMATION AGE. It has been through Google, Gmail (email), and Facebook that I have been able to find and be able to contact people. 

What I would like everyone out there in WWWland who is affected by The REAL ID ACT of 2005 to know is we all have a resource accessable at almost any Public Library throughout the United States. Even if you do not have a personal computer, internet access at home or on a mobile device (cellphone, Ipad, andriod, Iphone etc) you can go to a library, or community center somewhere and find online access.

Some of the resources I have used:

1. Navajo Nation and their online directory
2. Apache County, Arizona County parcel Informatin Search. I searched by last name and within a 100 mile radius of Ganado Arizona, where my late Uncle John Kirk lived with my Aunt Ruth Kirk lives.
3. Facebook.  I wrote down anyone in the Ganado, Fort Defiance, Window Rock, and Chinle who had my same birth surname KIRK. I also wrote down their friends who had Kirk as a surname. I never contacted them, thinking this might be a last resource  but I was prepared to.
4. Google search. I spent 100's if not 1,000's of hours sometime 8 hours on a Saturday or Sunday looking for information on the Kirk name in Ganado, Fort Defiance, Window Rock, Chinle.
5. FRIENDS!!! This one is most important. My friend Sarah May suggested I start a Facebook Page. My friend Rick Bickmore helped set it up for notes and other applications as a co-Administrator. My friend Troy has been my friend for now going on four decades. I have stayed up until the sun came up talking an brainstorming with him throughout the years. KEEP your friends aware of how to move forward. They come up with surprising ideas & how to move forward. My friend Jim Gonzales helped with my DMV fiasco, and through him a door opened to Forest Cutch.
6. I also was aided by Utah State Senator Gene who told me to call Forrest Cutch, Utah Director if Indian Affairs who told me about the Navajo Nation Vital Statistics. I never knew there was a Navajo Nation Vital statistics. This was because my FRIEND Jim Gonzales was able to initiate conversation with the Senator. Please, if anything  do not be afraid to ask politicians for their help. They can be a valuable resource and can open doors to people who can help you. YOU elected them. THEY are there for YOU.
7. Gratitude. Gratitude Gratitude. Be grateful and thank each of these people as they help you along the way. They are doing this out of the goodness of their heart and souls. Make sure they know how valuable their input is.

Well, that's it for this entry, I am SOOO waiting for my Uncle Bobby Kirk to call me back tonight. I hope this entry, my blog and this facebook page helps anyone out there. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There are other people affected by THE REAL ID ACT of 2005. Remember to keep moving, create exposure of your situation, someone will know the next step when you are weary...there is a poem about footprints in the sand. Believe me, I was carried by other kind, giving individuals here in the living and I am sure on the other side who saw my plight and made my journey this far bearable when I did not. Thank you HIGHER POWER! Sending good energy out to those who need it and those who can pass it on to those who need it.

Leland P. Morrill

My mom's paternal clan "The Tangle Clan" and My mom's Maternal Clan "Many Goats Clan" tentatively my father's clan "San Felipe Clan"
(I HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO SAY THAT RIGHT) Sorry no offense intended. I'm just doing a quick reentry into the Navajo Custom.

The Envelope Please...from Illegal alien to Navajo?!? THANKS ALISIA!

February 24, 2011: As I was creating my Facebook page Adopted Native American Citizenship Affected by The REAL ID Act of 2005 and this blog, my mail was delivered. I received my letter promised by Alisia Milford, Vital Statistics Technician at the Window Rock Navajo Office of Vital Records and Identification. The envelope contains a letter from Alisia and also two forms:

1. The Navajo Nation Application for Membership
2. The Navajo Nation Application for Services (not sure why, maybe the two go hand in hand)

Remember: The Navajo Nation adopted me out of the tribe on July 15, 1971 throught their Trial Court of the Navajo Tribe, Judicial District of Chinle Arizona without a Birth Certificate,  Navajo Census Number or Navajo Certificate of Indian Blood. So, the above documents should have been done back in 1971. My adopted parents Stan and Gwena Morrill attempted to obtain a Birth Certificate but the Navajo Court system never granted one through reasons of their own. (this is an update because of a February 25, 2011 8:00am conversation with Alisia at the Window Rock Navajo Nation Vital Statistics Office and me verifying this with my adopted mother, Gwena Morrill)

WAAAAA HOOOO! THANK YOU ALISIA :)

(Click on image to enlarge)

Alisia was great to follow up with a phone call promptly at 8:00 a.m. February 25,2011 to tell me she'd sent a letter and if I'd received it yet.  I told her yes. I had questions about filling out the forms as I didn't have all the necessary information. She told me her supervisor wants everything filled out. If I don't know the answer I can put "unknown" or "I don't know" in the blank space, but all spaces must be filled on the form.
Lucky for me in receiving these because I have a Monday appointment with my Family Law Attorney. We were going to brainstorm who to contact to quicken the pace, as my UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP is due to EXPIRE on July 13, 2011, the expiration date of my second 6 month temporary State issued Drivers License.
NOTE: H.R. 418: THE REAL ID ACT of 2005 allows only a one year extention for State issued Identification Cards and State issued Drivers Licenses, even if lost, stolen or if you are just changing addresses or renewing.

See H.R. 418: THE REAL ID ACT of 2005 pages 46-47:

TEMPORARY DRIVERS’ LICENSES AND17 IDENTIFICATION CARDS that expire one year after issuance.
"(i) IN GENERAL.—If a person presents evidence under any of clauses (v) through (ix) of subparagraph (B), the State may only issue a temporary driver’s license or temporary identification card to the person.
(ii) EXPIRATION DATE.—A temporary driver’s license or temporary identification card issued pursuant to this subparagraph shall be valid only during the period of time of the applicant’s authorized stay in the United States or, if there is no definite end to the period of authorized stay, a period of one year."

Yes, that means after "a period of one year" that's it ... NO MORE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP for me, a NAVAJO born in the United States and ADOPTED through The Trail Court of the Navajo Tribe Judicial Distric of Chinle, Arizona with no birth certificate, census number or Certificate of Indian Blood.

Now back to the documents.
For those Adopted Native Americans going through this process, there are certain geneological things you may want to accomplish in order to fill out the forms.

1. It is okay to put "unknown" or "I don't know" in a space where you do not have the information. Keep in mind as you fill out your Tribe/Nation's Application for Membership and/or Application for Services, it is important you find as much information about your biological family, mother, mothers maiden name, father, grandparents, paternal/maternal clans, census number, places of birth for each.
2. You must be able to fill out information about your birth name, social security number,  census number, tribe, Indian "blood quantum", and place of birth.
3. The documents may need to be signed and NOTORIZED. Yes, the Navajo Nation Application for Membership must be NOTORIZED, as in my case.

BACK TO ME (Leland Morrill) and my situation:
For my Navajo Nation "Application for Membership" I only know my biological mother's name: Linda Kirk. I do not know my biological fathers name (no documentation).
What I need to fill out my form are:

• Linda Kirk's Maiden Name
• Navajo Blood Quantum
• Was she a U.S. Citizen?
• Census Number
• Social Security Number
• Date of Birth
• Place of Birth
• CLAN: Maternal and Paternal
• Grandparents: Maternal and Paternal

For my Navajo Nation Application for Services form I need my own (Leland Kirk) information:

• Census Number (currently I don't know if one exists for me)
• Father's Name

IF ANYONE READING THIS BLOG/FACEBOOK PAGE knows the above information for Linda Kirk (deceased sometime between 1966-1969, perhaps a car accident) and for me Leland Kirk (adopted name Leland Morrill) PLEASE email the information to me at: lelandpmorrill@gmail.com

Thank you in advance- Leland

A good resource for NAVAJOS is the Navajo Nation Directory

Below is a list of Navajo Nation Vital Records and Identification telephone numbers:

Navajo Office of Vital Records (NOVR)
(928) 871-6386/6387
(928) 871-6397

NOVR - Chinle Agency
(928) 674-2279

NOVR - Crownpoint Agency
(505) 786-2034

NOVR - Fort Defiance Agency
(928) 729-4020

NOVR - Shiprock Agency
(505) 368-1334

NOVR - Tuba City Agency
(928) 283-3404

NOVR - Alamo Navajo Community
(505) 854-2613

NOVR - To'ha jillee Navajo Community
(505) 836-5099

NOVR - Ramah Navajo Community
(505) 775-3328

*If you would like to contribute, have vital information that will help, please email lelandpmorrill@gmail.com using the subject line:Adoption: Leland Kirk

I may be ILLEGAL and NAVAJO! My Researching, up until January 2011.

My name is Leland Morrill I was adopted through the Navajo Nation to anglo parents on July 15,1971 without a birth certificate, Navajo Census Number, Certificate of Indian Blood. Before the H. R. 418 Real ID Act of 2005 I used my LDS baptism record and adoption papers as evidence of my existence. These documents no longer qualify under  H.R. 418 The Real ID Act of 2005. Twenty-two years ago I started my quest to obtain a birth certificate Now on July 13, 2011 I will become an illegal alien. I was born in the United States.

How did this occur?
My (adopted) parents were living in Chinle Arizona, in a little red house...close to the LDS chapel. Due a transfer with the LDS Church (MORMON) to Canada my adoption occurred and was quickly finalized through the Trial Court of the Navajo Tribe; Judicial District of Chinle Arizona on July15, 1971. My new anglo family and I  moved to Burford Ontario Canada the next day, July 16, 1971.

(click on picture to enlarge)

Now what happened was my anglo adopted parents did apply for a Birth Certificate in 1971 but the Navajo Tribe never issued one. (updated per February 25.2011 8:00 am conversation with Alisia from Window Rock Vital Records and my verifying this with my mother, Gwena Morrill). The Navajo Nation adopted me out of the tribe on July 15, 1971 through their Trial Court of the Navajo Tribe, Judicial District of Chinle Arizona without a Birth Certificate,  Navajo Census Number or Navajo Certificate of Indian Blood. 

Around the time I went off to college, Brigham Young University, I found out that I did not have a birth certificate. At the time this was not a problem because laws were more lenient. I used my Church (L.D.S.) Baptism Certificate and my Adoption Papers to get a Utah State issued Drivers License and Identification card. I started my research by visiting the Gallup Indian Medical Center on September 7, 1989 and obtained medical records dated from 1969-1971.
More time went by. I made some feeble attempts at obtaining more information but this wasn't needed as my baptism record and adoption papers sufficed.

Speed up the clock to December 2009, I'm in Los Angeles looking for a job riding the 720 Rapid Bus, unemployed. I was on a budget and had gone shopping at the 99 Cent Only Store to save money on groceries. I had also downsized to a more efficient apartment from beautiful Los Feliz to an "up and coming" Downtown L.A. apartment. While exiting the 720 Rapid Bus, someone pick-pocketed my wallet. I didn't know this until I get home and emptied my pockets. I retraced my steps numerous times, even went so far as to contact METRO Lost and Found several times and the Los Angeles Downtown Security Office, to no avail.

So, knowing my identification is Utah issued,  I go back to Utah in January 2010 just to find out the new law of the land started January 01, 2010 called The Real ID Act of 2005.  I now am required to have a State Issued Birth Certificate or Navajo (tribal) Census Number. Well, now I have to figure that out. So back to Cali I go to figure out how to do this, unaware, I am now classified as an Illegal Alien. In May of 2010 I go back to the Utah D.M.V. Fair Park Office and get a "temporary" paper Utah State issued 6 month Drivers License.
I had started to send send out information to New Mexico Vital Statistics and Arizona Vital Statistics as now I don't know where I was actually born. I  was "told" my birthplace was Albuquerque, New Mexico. My PHS Health clinical records say Fort Defiance, Arizona. So I send application fees to both Arizona and New Mexico. Nothing from New Mexico.  I pursued Arizona.
I had to send them an additional amount around October 2010 because their State Office of Vital Statistics "lost" my documentation even though we now have a half year of communicating by telephone and email. FRUSTRATION. So, I send in more money to Arizona Vital Statistics...guess what I get back in return?!?
A State of Arizona Certificate of No Birth Record. Dated December 21, 2010

(click on picture to enlarge)

OK so now my Utah State issued 6 month "temporary" Drivers License has now expired. Back to Utah in January 2011...
NEW BLOG ENTRY about the Utah D.M.V. It's JUICY...you'll love it!

*If you would like to contribute, have vital information that will help, please email lelandpmorrill@gmail.com using the subject line:Adoption: Leland Kirk